Chocolate Spiel - Peanut Butter (bar) - Feb. 22, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Chocolate Spiel
Peanut Butter (bar) 
Good ++
Weight: 1 oz. (27 g.) in total bar
Calories: 155 calories (estimate) for 1 bar
Cost: $8.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Chocolate Spiel, online order 

Welcome to Day #5 of Chocolate and Peanut Theme Week.

Today's Peanut Butter (bar) was from Chocolate Spiel (Edmonds/Seattle, WA). 

Aroma notes included: subtle milk chocolate and nut (peanut). (Note: there were no milk ingredients listed.)

Texture: creamy, uniform melt and mouthfeel with soft nuttiness from peanut halves.

Flavor notes included: smooth, creamy dark chocolate with smooth creamy peanut butter and softly crunchy peanuts. The flavors in this bar were closest to peanut butter cup flavors so far this week -- without the extra sugar, salt or emulsifiers. 

I liked the near perfect, classic blend of peanuts and smooth dark chocolate in this bar. Not ultra sweet (thank you). It was just right for me (a dark chocolate lover).

The painted (colored cocoa butter) dotted patterns on this bar created a festive, upbeat visual appearance.

Ingredients: "cocoa, peanuts, sugar, cocoa butter, colored cocoa butter (yellow 5)."

Allergen-related information: Contains Peanuts. "May contain traces of peanuts, tree nuts and gluten." 

Fossa Chocolate - 65% Dark Spicy Mala (bar) - Feb. 20, 2025

Chocolate of the Day 

Fossa Chocolate
65% Dark Spicy Mala (bar)
Good ++
Weight: .88 oz. (25 g.) / 1.76 oz. (50 g.) in total bar
Calories: 140.5 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $15.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar & Cocoa, online order

Welcome to Day #3 of Chocolate and Peanut Theme Week.

Today's 65% Dark Spicy Mala (bar) was from Fossa Chocolate (Singapore).

Aroma notes included: chocolate, green peppercorn, warm/upbeat spices, and very faint chili/heat.

This bar broke with a well-tempered snap, and had a relatively smooth texture with a smattering of light crunchy bits (sesame seeds). 

Flavor notes included: smooth dark chocolate, fragrant green peppercorn, and light, warm spices (light cardamom, cinnamon).

This was a wonderful stewpot of well-balanced flavors. I really liked the aromatic top notes of the peppercorn, cardamom and cinnamon and very light umami elements (sesame, soy).

Maker's description: "An incredibly aromatic, spicy and numbing, yet addictive chocolate, inspired by the popular spicy mala stir fry pot dish..."

Ingredients: "Cacao, cane sugar, cocoa butter, peanut, sesame, soy sauce, dried chilli (sic), Sichuan peppercorn, cardamom, Bay leaves, cinnamon, star anise, fennel seeds"

Allergen-related information: Contains: Peanut, Sesame, and (possibly wheat in soy sauce). Produced in a facility that processes nuts & dairy. 

Fossa Chocolate - 48% Milk Satay Sauce (bar) - Feb. 19, 2025

Chocolate of the Day 

Fossa Chocolate
48% Milk Satay Sauce (bar)
Good + - Good ++
Weight: .88 oz. (25 g.) / 1.76 oz. (50 g.) in total bar
Calories: 144.5 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $15.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar & Cocoa, online order

Welcome to Day #2 of Chocolate and Peanut Theme Week.

Today's 48% Milk Satay Sauce (bar) was from Fossa Chocolate Pte Ltd (Singapore).

Aroma and flavor notes included: authentic chili powder, dark milk chocolate, faint nuts, and spices. 

I enjoyed trying this bar, even if the flavors were different than what I was expecting. Where I live in the U.S., satay sauce (a peanut sauce served over meat skewers) has more sweet peanut butter flavor and less chili powder flavor, so that's what I was expecting initially. 

The added milk helped harmonize the spices and made the chocolate closer to the texture of a smooth savory sauce.

I appreciated the short list of quality/authentic ingredients in this chocolate. And I look forward to trying the more spice-forward versions of this sauce when I visit Singapore in the next year or two.

Ingredients: Cacao, cane sugar, cocoa butter, peanut, milk powder, cumin, nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, anise, fennel seeds, peppercorn, sea salt

Allergen-related information: Contains: Peanuts, Milk. Produced in a facility that processes nuts & dairy.

Century Snacks - Snak Club Tajin Chil & Lime - Peanut & Corn Clusters - Feb. 18, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Century Snacks, LLC
Snak Club - Tajin Chili & Lime - Peanut & Corn Clusters
Good +
Weight: 1.06 oz. (4 pcs) (30 g.) / 4 oz. (113 g.) in total package
Calories: 160 calories in 1 serving (1/4 package)
Cost: $4.49 for 1 package
Purchased from: Midtown Safeway, Palo Alto, CA 

Welcome to Day #7 of Chocolate and Lime Week and Day #1 of Chocolate and Peanut Week.

Today's Snak Club - Tajin Chili & Lime - Peanut & Corn Clusters in a chocolate-y coating were from Century Snacks, LLC (Commerce, CA).

Aroma and flavor notes included: mild chili powder mix, corn chip and chocolate.

Texture: snack-like blend of crunchy (toasted corn and dry roasted peanuts) and creamy (chocolate-y coating) texture.

I liked the fact the subtle (Tajin) chili and lime flavors and that these clusters were sweet and salty -- but not overly so in either direction. 

While I wasn't as fond of the long list of ingredients, and would have loved a little more dark or dark milk chocolate in this snack, it was fun to try.

Description: "Dry roasted peanuts and toasted corn in chocolatey coating and sprinkled with Tajin chili lime seasoning."

Ingredients: Milk Confectionary (Sugar, Vegetable Oil [Palm Kernel Oil, Hydrogenated Palm Kernel Oil], Cocoa Powder, Nonfat Dry Milk, Whole Milk Powder, Whey Powder, Soy Lecithin [an emulsifier], Salt, Artificial Flavor), Salt, Artificial Flavor), Peanuts, Corn (Corn, Canola Oil, Sea Salt), Tajin (R) Clasico Seasoning (Chili Peppers, Sea Salt, Citric Acid, Contains 0.5% or Less of Dehydrated Lime Juice, Silicon Dioxide [To Prevent Caking]), Canola Oil.

Allergen-related information: Contains Peanuts, Tree Nuts, Wheat, Soy, Milk, and Sesame.

Caution: "Natural Products May Contain Pit, Shell, Stem or Other Fragments"

Ragged Coast Chocolates - Coffee Peanut Bark - Sept. 28, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Ragged Coast Chocolates
Coffee Peanut Bark
Good ++
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 2 oz. (56 g.) in total package
Calories: 140 calories in 1/2 package
Cost: $5.95 for 1 package
Purchased from: Ragged Coast Chocolates, online order 

Welcome to Day #6 of Chocolate and Coffee Theme Week.

Today's Coffee Peanut Bark was from Ragged Coast Chocolates (Westbrook, Maine).

Aroma notes included: milk chocolate, peanuts and very faint vanilla and coffee (latte).

The textural blend included: creamy smooth milk chocolate topped with softly crunchy peanuts, and tiny, firm/hard granules of coffee.

Flavor notes included: rich, sweet and creamy and cacao-buttery (whole) milk chocolate, peanut, and occasional tiny bits of roasted coffee. The vanilla and (Maine) sea salt were both subtle and enhanced the slightly addictive quality of this Coffee Peanut Bark confection.*

I liked the relatively short list of ingredients and use of Single Origin Latin American (milk) chocolate.

Ragged Coast product description: "...slightly smoky flavor of Maine-roasted coffee...percolates through organic peanuts, Maine sea salt and luscious milk chocolate."

Ingredients: Single Origin Latin American Milk Chocolate (sugar, cocoa butter, whole milk powder, cocoa liquor, soy lecithin, natural vanilla), Organic Coffee Beans, Organic Peanuts, Maine Sea Salt."

Allergen-related information: "Contains: Peanuts" "Allergens: Soy, Nuts, Milk, and Coconut."

Note: while the coffee is not immediately obvious in appearance/strength, I did get a bit of a caffeine buzz from this.

 

IQ Bar - Peanut Butter Chip bar - July 30, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

IQ Bar
Peanut Butter Chip bar
Good+ - Good ++
Weight: 1.6 oz. (45 g.) / 1 Pound, 12.8 oz. (816 g.) in a box of 18 bars
Calories: 160 calories for 1 bar
Cost: $18.49 for box of 18 bars
Purchased from: Costco, Mountain View, CA

Welcome to Day #4 of Chocolate and Peanut Theme Week--a week that includes a variety of chocolates --ranging from ultra-high end bean-to-bar chocolate bars to casual snacks and protein bars.

Today's Peanut Butter Chip bar was made by IQBAR, Inc. (Boston, MA). This bar was part of a larger, 3-flavor, 18-bar variety box.*

Aroma notes for this individually-wrapped bar included: somewhat artificial sweetness, nuttiness (faint peanut), and almost undetectable vegetable protein/starch. The taste and texture were better than the initial aroma.

Texture: This peanut butter-hued protein bar had a relatively soft, very slightly crunchy, chew-- a texture that was interspersed with smooth chocolate chips.

Flavor notes included: light peanut/peanut butter, relatively invisible pea protein crisps, and the occasional flicker of dark chocolate. The pea protein and other additions made this bar more filling and satisfying.

I liked the relatively short and thoughtful list of ingredients; the fact that each bar contained 12 grams of Protein and 3 grams of (Net) Carbs; and that this protein bar didn't taste sugary sweet. I also liked that they called out the Magnesium** levels in their bars. I also liked the use of Stevia (vs. other sweetener alternatives in this particular bar).

Ingredients: "Nuts (Peanuts, Almonds), Prebiotic Blend (Tapioca Fiber, Vegetable Fiber), Protein Blend (Pea Protein Crisps [Pea Protein, Tapioca Starch], Pea Protein), Natural Flavors, Peanut Flour, Coconut Oil, Unsweetened Chocolate, Cocoa, Cocoa Butter, Sea Salt, Lion's Mane, Stevia Plant Extract, Vitamin E"

Allergen-related information: "Allergens: Peanuts, Almonds, Coconut" (Non-GMO Certified, Gluten Free, Vegan and Kosher)

*The two other flavors in this box were Chocolate Sea Salt and Almond Butter Chip.

**Dark chocolate naturally contains relatively significant levels of iron and magnesium -- one of the many reasons why some people crave chocolate. I find it difficult to get all the calcium and magnesium I need; so it was a plus to see the levels listed--15% Daily Value for Magnesium was not bad for this bar; and the amount would be higher for bars higher in dark chocolate. (You might not find this level of detail on some craft chocolate labels.)

To'ak - Alchemy Salprieta Peanuts 65% (bar) - July 29, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

To'ak 
Alchemy Salprieta Peanuts (bar)
Good++ - Good +++
Weight: 2 oz. (56 g.) in total package of 4 smaller bars
Calories: 336 calories in 1 package
Cost: $16.00 (estimate) for 1 bar
Purchased from: To'ak, online order

Welcome to Day #3 of Chocolate and Peanut Theme Week--a week that includes a variety of chocolate and peanut/peanut butter offerings--ranging from ultra-high end bean-to-bar chocolates to casual snacks.

Today's Alchemy Salprieta* Peanuts (bars) were made by To'ak (Tierra & Arbol S.A.S.; Quito, Ecuador). The company started "from a rainforest conservation project in Ecuador and has become"...a global pioneer in the world of "luxury dark chocolate."

Aroma notes included: roasted nuts (peanuts), chili pepper and warm spices (nutmeg, cinnamon, coriander/cilantro), and a very faint, fleeting menthol note that disappeared after re-tasting.

Texture: The flavor inclusions were almost all fully incorporated, leaving just tiny bursts of welcome flavor(s); although there were a few very hard, very tiny light-colored bits. (Corn perhaps?)

Flavor notes included: complex, almost sparkling flavors (like light streaming through a forest) that revealed themselves a bit at a time. Tiny salt crystals, tiny grains of nut, tiny atoms of spice, and dark chocolate nuances that included chocolate and tropical fruit. (The heirloom cacao used to make this bar was from Piedra de Plata, Manabi, Ecuador.)

What a beautiful ride. I loved the intriguing range of complex and subtle flavors in this bar. And, like all great rides, it was over too soon.

Ingredients: "Dark chocolate (65% heirloom cacao, 35% cane sugar), peanuts, salprieta (peanuts, achiote, cilantro, sea salt, and ground heirloom corn), achiote paste (achiote, sea salt), cilantro, cacao butter"

Allergen-related information: (Contains Peanuts.) "May contain traces of milk, soy, or nuts."

*Salprieta is a mix of ground (usually toasted) peanuts, corn and spices. It is used as a condiment in Ecuador. 

Simply - Salted Peanut Chocolate Date Bars - May 23, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Simply Gum, Inc.
Salted Peanut Chocolate Date Bars
Good ++
Weight: 1.48 oz. (42 g.) / 4.5 oz. (128 g.) in total bar
Calories: 180 calories in 2 pieces
Cost: $6.66 (sale price)
Purchased from: Whole Foods Market, Los Altos, CA 

Welcome to Day #13 of Chocolate and Dates Theme Week(s).

Today's Salted Peanut Chocolate Date Bars were from Simply Gum, Inc. (Brooklyn, NY).

Aroma notes for these gluten-free, vegan, small bars included: slightly umami/salty peanut, chocolate and date cookie.

An inner peanut and date blend offered a caramel-nougat-like filling, with a pliable date-like chew. The thin outer layer of dark chocolate was quite smooth. 

There was barely any of the faint graininess* in this bar that I've tasted in many other chocolate + date confections.

Flavor notes included: peanut-date-caramel (coconut sugar) nougat-like filling and subtle dark chocolate. The thin layer of dark chocolate took a back seat in this confection; but the flavors were all complementary and well-balanced.

The salted peanuts and chocolate help balance out the date-fruit sweetness. I also liked that these smaller snack-sized bars (that were not individually wrapped) were easy to share (weren't stuck together). 

Ingredients: Organic Dates, Roasted Peanuts, Dark Chocolate (Cocoa Mass, Organic Coconut Sugar, Cocoa Butter), Sea Salt

Allergen-related information: Contains: Peanuts, Coconut.

*A sense of graininess is often due to sugar crystals that can form in the dates as they age.

Quinn - Chocolate'y Peanut Butter Filled Pretzel Nuggets - April 24, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Quinn Foods LLC
Chocolate'y Peanut Butter Filled Pretzel Nuggets
Good +
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) / 6.5 oz. (184 g.) in total package
Calories: 130 calories in 1 serving
Cost: $4.29 for 1 package
Purchased from: Piazza's, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #12 of Chocolate and Umami Theme Week.

Today's Chocolate'y Peanut Butter Filled Pretzel Nuggets were distributed by Quinn Foods LLC (Boulder, CO). Kristy at Quinn Foods (named for her son) set out to create "cleaner" versions of childhood snacks.

These filled nuggets were part of an umami snack plate (that also included tamari-roasted soy beans, black sesame crackers and nori (seaweed)). 

Peanuts, peanut flour and peanut butter seem like a natural fit with umami foods and flavors. (At least one study showed that peanut powder was found to "elicit an umami taste and umami-enhancing effect."*)

Aroma notes for these crunchy snacks included: faint pretzel and faint tamari-peanut rice cracker, and very faint, fleeting almost meat-like savory/umami.

Texture: There was an appealing contrast between the well-executed, lovely, crunchy texture of the pillow-shaped pretzel shell and the smooth, creamy filling. 

Flavor notes: The peanut-infused pretzel and chocolate-y filling were hearty and satisfying, and all three flavors (pretzel, peanut and chocolate (cocoa) complemented each other. 

These were pretzel nuggets first and foremost. While peanuts showed up in the aroma (peanut butter was the #1 ingredient listed), the overall flavor was more like muted umami pretzel and less like fresh-roasted peanut-y. 

Also, these nuggets were not overly sweet or salty. They were closer to savory bar snacks and less like some sweetened peanut butters and chocolate peanut butter cups. (Thank you, from someone who likes savory chocolate flavor inclusions.)

Ingredients: Peanut butter (dry roasted peanuts, sugar, salt), whole grain sorghum flour, brown rice flour, tapioca starch, potato starch, organic palm oil (sustainably sourced), expeller pressed high oleic sunflower oil, organic powdered sugar (organic cane sugar, organic tapioca starch), organic cane sugar, salt, organic cocoa powder, pea protein, peanut flour, vanilla extract, sunflower lecithin, sea salt, mixed tocopherols (to retain freshness).

Allergy-related information: Contains peanuts. 

Allergen-related information: Contains Peanuts. 

Auro Chocolate - Salted Peanut 47% Milk Chocolate with Salted Peanut (bar) - Sept. 25, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Auro Chocolate
Salted Peanut 47% Milk Chocolate with Salted Peanut (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 2.12 oz. (60 g.) in total bar
Calories: 338 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $7.50 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar and Cocoa, online order 

Welcome to Day #2 of Chocolate and The Philippines Theme Week.

Today's plant-based, Salted Peanut 47% Milk* Chocolate with Salted Peanut (bar) was produced by Auro Chocolate (Calamba City, Laguna, Philiippines).

Aroma notes included: rich dark chocolate, and nuts (peanuts).

The texture was a blend of smooth dark chocolate and softly crunchy bits of peanut.

The flavor notes were richer than expected for a chocolate and peanut blend. The 47% cacao chocolate tasted darker (closer to a 65%+ dark chocolate), and the peanuts tasted very authentic with a light roasted note. One of the reason for the clear flavors was that the "milk" in this Milk Chocolate bar was supplied by oat powder and not dairy milk. Any "milks" can blunt/soften cacao flavors; but that doesn't appear to have occurred here.

Bold and balanced dark chocolate with a judicious touch of salt made this an appealing chocolate.

Ingredients: Cane sugar, cacao mass, natural cacao butter, oat powder, roasted peanut, sea salt.

Allergen-related information: "Contains oats and peanuts. This product is manufactured in a facility that processes other products which may contain milk, tree nuts, and soy." (Halal.)

*The "milk" in this milk chocolate refers to the inclusion of oat powder. There were no dairy ingredients listed.

Ritter Sport - Roasted Peanut (bar) - Aug. 24, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Ritter Sport
Roasted Peanut (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.09 oz. (31 g.) / 3.5 oz. (100 g.) in total bar
Calories: 180 calories in 5 pieces/squares
Cost: $4.49 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Piazza's, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #11 of Chocolate and Nuts Theme Week.

Today's Ritter Sport Roasted Peanut (bar) was from Alfred Ritter GmbH and Co. KG (Waldenbuch, Germany) was made in Austria.

Aroma notes for this bar included: sweet dark chocolate, roasted nuts and peanuts. 

The texture of the base chocolate (no cacao percentage listed on the U.S. label) was smooth, thick and creamy, and complemented by a generous dose of crunchy roasted peanuts. 

Flavor notes included: sweet dark chocolate and peanuts. Smaller amounts of almond flour and hazelnut paste were hard to detect directly, but made for a pleasant, even nuttier overall flavor. A small amount of sea salt helped balance the sweetness of the chocolate.

If you like chocolate and peanuts (and I do), you'll enjoy this bar. Also, thank you to Ritter for continuing to advance in cocoa sourcing practices. (On the bar's label: "100% Certified Sustainable Cocoa Sourcing".)

"Sweet chocolate with roasted and salted peanut pieces, almond flour, hazelnut paste and ground vanilla beans."

Ingredients: "sugar, peanuts, cocoa butter, chocolate liquor, almond flour, hazelnut paste, salt, soy lecithin, ground vanilla beans."

Allergen-related information: (Contains: peanuts, almonds, hazelnuts, soy.) "May contain traces of other tree nuts, wheat, milk, egg and sesame seeds."

Fortunato Chocolate - Milk Chocolate Peanut Clusters - July 14, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Fortunato Chocolate
Milk Chocolate Peanut Clusters
Good ++
Weight: 4 oz. (113 g.) / 8 oz. (226 g.) in total package
Calories: 650 calories in 1/2 package
Cost: $9.99 for 1 package
Purchased from: Fortunato Chocolate, online order

Welcome to Day #5 of Chocolate and Peru Theme Week.

Today's Milk Chocolate Peanut Clusters were from Fortunato Chocolate (Issaquah, WA).

Aroma notes included: milk chocolate, roasted peanuts, and peanut brittle.

Texture: creamy milk chocolate chock full of crunchy roasted peanuts.

Flavor notes included: sweet, creamy milk chocolate and salted, roasted peanuts. These clusters were creamy, crunchy, and had enough sugar and salt to land in the tasty, addictive snack zone. (Caution: do not start eating these if you're overly hungry. It's easy to mow through multiple servings.)

The higher sugar 36+% (and milk 27%) content made it difficult to detect cacao flavor nuances. However, the salt helped balance the sweetness a bit.

Ingredients: Roasted Peanuts, 36% Fortunato Milk Chocolate (Organically grown cacao and cocoa butter 36.2%, whole/skim milk and cream 27.02%, cane sugar 36.69%, soy lecithin 0.07%, vanilla 0.02%), sea salt.

Allergen-related information: Contains peanuts, milk, soy. May contain traces of almonds and hazelnuts.

Zotter - Peanut Crunch (bar) - Oct. 31, 2022

Chocolate(s) of the Day: 

Zotter
Peanut Crunch (bar) 

Good ++
Weight: 1.23 oz. (35 g.) / 2.47 oz. (70 g.) in total bar
Calories: 200 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $7.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar and Cocoa, online order

Happy Halloween to all who celebrate. And, welcome to Day #4 of Chocolate and Umami Theme Week.

Today's Zotter Peanut Crunch (bar)--made in Austria and distributed by Zotter Chocolates US LLC (Fort Myers, FL)--was a big step up from chocolate and peanut Halloween candy bars that I grew up with. 

This filled bar had an authentic peanut aroma--the nutty, slightly bittersweet smell of roasted whole peanuts in their shells.

A velvety layer of 70% dark chocolate covering surrounded a milky, nougat-like peanut filling with softly crunchy peanut pieces. This bar was sweet, but not candy bar sweet. A subtle dose of sea salt and dark chocolate helped to balance the sugar.

Moon over umami 

Yes, peanuts (like many nuts and legumes that contain glutamate*) are considered to be an umami food. But, why stop there? I enjoyed today's Austrian peanut and dark chocolate bar--along with three scary, umami mushroom jerky goblins dipped in a tiny black cauldron of dark, nutty chocolate. 

Clouds skated across the moon on this cool, spooky Halloween night. You want your mommy? No, I said "Oh, yum it's umami!"

Zotter's description: "Dark chocolate filled with peanut praline and whole peanuts."

Ingredients: Organic peanuts; organic, fair trade cane sugar; organic, fair trade cocoa mass; organic, fair trade cocoa butter; organic peanut oil; dry sweet whey; organic, fair trade dark brown cane sugar; dry whole milk; dry skim milk; organic soy lecithin; salt; organic vanilla powder; organic, fair trade cinnamon; organic chilli (sic) "bird's eye." 

Allergen-related information: Contains peanuts, milk, soy. "Manufactured on equipment that processes tree nuts, eggs and sesame."

*Glutamate (glutamic acid) is an amino acid found in many foods (e.g., meats, cheeses, seafood, vegetables and nuts). Umami foods generally have higher glutamate levels, and the glutatmate may be interacting with nucleotides such as inosinate and guanylate and forming combinations with sodium and/or potassium.

Betterland Foods, Inc. - Woo bar - May 15, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Betterland Foods, Inc. 

Woo bar

Good +

Weight: 1.6 oz. (45 g.) in total bar

Calories: 200 calories in 1 bar

Cost: $ N/A - gift from a friend (Thank you Don and Wendy!)

Purchased from: N/A - gift

Welcome to Day #10 of Chocolate, Nuts and Nibs Theme Week.

Today's "Woo" bar was manufactured for and distributed by Betterland Foods, Inc. (Napa, CA). The company was founded in 2021 by Lizanne Falsetto (creator of thinkThin bars).

This bar's aroma had slightly sweet, slightly salty, subtle cocoa and caramel candy bar, nut and faint plant protein notes.

This chocolate-covered bar had a caramel-y, light nougat-y and nutty, sweet center with a soft chew. Flavor notes included: light caramel, a maple-like sweetness, vanilla, subtle chocolate and nuts.

The limited edition Woo bar was formulated to have "half the sugar and 2x the protein" (of a more traditional, popular candy bar). The bar had 22 total carbs. (8 grams fiber, 9 grams of sugar(s)). The 8 grams of protein was achieved using peanuts and "cow-free whey protein" (Perfect Day's "animal-free dairy").* 

Normally I prefer chocolates with a shorter ingredient list. But I also appreciated my teeth feeling slightly less sugar-coated after eating this Woo bar than after sampling other candy bar-like confections. Any chocolate (or nuanced cacao flavors) were not distinguishable in this bar, relegating the chocolate to a pleasant background flavor. Although there was added cocoa butter in the filling and the chocolate coating (which is not always the case with candy bars).

The Woo bar was comparable to a candy bar in taste, but had a more appealing nutritional story.

Ingredients: Caramel (inulin, soluble corn fiber, agave syrup, cocoa butter, caramel color, sunflower lecithin, tapioca starch, natural flavors, gum arabic, salt, beta carotene), chocolate (cane sugar, chocolate liquor, cocoa butter, vanilla powder), peanuts, cow-free whey protein, agave syrup, rice syrup solids, glycerine, water, agave inulin, cocoa butter, peanut oil, sunflower oil, sunflower lecithin, sea salt, guar gum, natural flavor, vanilla extract.

Allergen-related information: "Contains milk, peanuts. Manufactured in a facility that also processes other tree nuts, soy, egg, peanuts, milk."

*Perfect Day is a food technology startup, based in Berkeley, CA. The company uses fungi to make protein that is "molecularly identical" to (whey) protein found in cow's milk and is part of a new wave of companies creating lab-grown proteins.

The fermented alternative protein Perfect Day produces has a much lower carbon footprint than whey produced from a traditional dairy farm; and the end product can be used to make "cow-free" dairy products like cheese, yogurt or ice cream. However, while it does not contain lactose (the sugar in dairy milk that can upset stomachs), it may not be suitable for those with a sensitivity to whey protein (one of two types of protein found in cow's milk).

Oregon Bark - Tom Bumble Smooth Peanut Butter Flake Candy with Chocolate - Apr. 12, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Oregon Bark 
Tom Bumble Smooth Peanut Butter Flake Candy with Chocolate 
Weight: 1.2 oz. (34 g.) in 1 small bar
Calories: 186 calories (estimate) in 1 small bar
Cost: $2.75 for 1 small bar
Purchased from: East West Bookstore, Mountain View, CA

Welcome to Day #7 of Chocolate and Peanuts Theme Week. 

Today's Tom Bumble Smooth Peanut Butter Flake Candy with Chocolate (small bar) was from Oregon Bark (Portland, OR), and was made with chocolate from Ranger Chocolate (Portland, OR).

This bar had an appealing candy bar aroma (think high-end Butterfinger* bar).

A thin creamy layer of dark chocolate covered a thick, crunchy peanut candy interior that was sweet (almost honey-ed) and fine flaked.

The classic peanut and chocolate flavors were satisfying, and the smooth dark chocolate had a few more subtle flickers of authentic cacao flavor than you'd find in a retail candy bar.

Ingredients: Organic peanuts, organic cane sugar, salt, vanilla, organic bittersweet chocolate (organic cacao beans, organic cane sugar, organic cacao butter, organic vanilla beans). 

Allergen-related information: Contains peanuts. Made on equipment that also processes tree nuts.

*(The) Butterfinger is a popular chocolate-covered peanut butter candy bar in the U.S. It was created by Otto Schnering in the 1920s and was owned by Curtiss Candy Company (1923 - 1964), then became owned by Nabisco. After a few more ownership changes it joined the Nestle portfolio; and in 2018 was bought by Ferraro).

Jonesbar: Organic Chocolate Peanut Butter (bar) - Apr. 10, 2022

Chocolate of the Day 

Jonesbar
Organic Chocolate Peanut Butter (bar)
Good + 
Weight: 1.7 oz. (47 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 200 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $1.49 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #5 of Chocolate and Peanuts Theme Week.

Today's Organic Chocolate Peanut Butter (bar) was from Jonesbar (Manasquan, NJ). The company offers a line or organic, snack bars with, typically, just 4-5 ingredients.

This compressed, chocolate brownie-toned bar had dried fruit (complex, layered, high-quality date), peanut, dark chocolate, fig, mocha, and very faint, balanced earth and warm spice) aroma and flavor notes. (Note: there were no actual fig or coffee ingredients, just authentic nuanced flavors.)

The hand-crafted bar had a soft, chewy, crunchy texture (thanks to moist date, crunchy peanut butter bits, skillfully incorporated chia seeds).

There were no added sugars (thank you). And a trace of sea salt helped temper the natural date sweetness.

Ingredients: Organic dates, organic peanuts, organic 100% cacao chips, organic chia seeds, Himalayan pink sea salt.

Allergen-related information: "gluten free, dairy free, vegan, no added flavors or colors, no added sugar, pareve

Madhu Chocolate - Masala Peanut 55% Cacao (bar) - Mar. 17, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Madhu Chocolate 
Masala Peanut 55% Cacao (bar)
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1.3 oz. (37 g.) / 2.6 oz. (74 g.) in total bar
Calories: 212.5 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $9.29 (approx.) for 1 bar (part of larger order $65 for 7 bars)
Purchased from: Good Food Awards Marketplace, online order

Welcome to Day #12 of Chocolate and India Theme Week, and Day #5 of Chocolate and Colombia Theme Week.

Today's Masala Peanut 55% Cacao (bar) was from Madhu Chocolate (Austin, TX). The company offers a variety of small-batch, bean-to-bar chocolates, with India-inspired flavors--made using cacao sourced from the Tumaco region of Colombia (and cacao from India). The masala chili spice in today's bar: Guntur Sannam Chillis, from Diaspora Co.

The aroma notes for this vibrant spice bar included: sweet savory spices (cumin), sweet chocolate and nut(s).

A generous helping of peanuts and chili spices created textural range (softly crunchy nuts in a smooth dark sea) and flavor depth.

This Masala Peanut bar was a lively fusion of Old World (particularly Asia) and New World (particularly Central America) flavors--and exemplified long inter-twined food cultures.*

The chili, salt and peanut flavors in this rich, layered, spicy chocolate made me feel like I was enjoying an Indian-version of a Mexican mole** sauce. The two makers at Madhu Chocolate captured the essence of mole with a doff of hats to India-inspired flavors.

Dark rich mole sauce--often served over chicken, rice and enchiladas--contains chilies and a variety of warm spices (e.g. cinnamon, anise, black pepper, cumin, salt) as well as ground chocolate/cacao and sometimes nuts/peanuts and sesame seeds.

The cumin and chili heat levels in this dark milk bar stopped short of a hot curry dish or three-alarm chili, but the spices warmed the palette and politely cleared the sinuses. (Warning: this savory chocolate triggered the salty-sweet snack response, and I found myself wanting to go back to enjoy more and more. A judicious amount of milk (powder) may have also made this chocolate more addictive.)

Ingredients: Cacao solids, organic cane sugar, organic cocoa butter, whole milk powder, peanuts, chili powder, cumin, salt, sesame oil

Allergen-related information: "Vegan. Gluten-free." "Contains peanuts (and milk). Prepared in a facility that also processes nuts and dairy."

*Ingredients like cacao, peanuts and many chilies originated in the Americas, but as trade routes expanded were spread far and wide. 

Peanuts were one of the first "New World" foods to be adopted across the globe in the 1500s. Spicy peanut dishes and snacks have long been popular in China, India, Africa (especially Nigeria), and can be found in many other countries.

Meanwhile, spices like cumin, black pepper and cinnamon traveled across Asia and the middle east, and eventually arrived in the Americas, often via European traders, conquistadors and settlers. (In some cases, native spices (like allspice) were replaced by imported cinnamon.)

Many modern versions of Mexican mole (and drinking chocolate(s)) are blends of indigenous and "Old World" and "New World" spices and ingredients.

**Both India and Mexico have long spice traditions. "Masala" refers to spice blends (e.g. garam masala) where spices have been dry-roasted and ground together in India (or fried and blended back into dry or wet spice blends). 

"Mole" has a similar meaning. Spices and ingredients are ground together (often with a stone mortar and pestle) to make a sauce or blend. The results of both: multi-layered, spicy flavors and deliciousness.

 

SkinnyDipped - Milk Chocolate Peanuts - Mar. 28, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

SkinnyDipped
Milk Chocolate Peanuts
Good + 
Weight: 3 oz. (85 g.) / 3.5 oz. (99 g.) in total package
Calories: 480 calories in 3 servings
Cost: $5.99 for 1 package
Purchased from: FarmFresh To You CSA box, add-in order

Welcome to Day #7 of Chocolate and N,O,P,Q Theme Week, featuring chocolate items with flavors and origins that begin with the letters N, O, P and/or Q--including today's classic combination of chocolate and peanuts.

Today's SkinnyDipped Milk Chocolate Peanuts were distributed by Wild Things Snacks, Inc (Seattle, WA). 

The aroma of this snack was similar to a Nestle Butterfinger bar. It was a healthier version perhaps, but the smell summoned memories of addictively sweet and salty childhood chocolate and peanut confections nonetheless. This offering had "no shiny glaze or wax" and "no artificial colors or flavors," and came in a sealed, and resealable, package. 

Instead of a more processed, layered, crispy peanut center you may find in a candy bar, the peanut pieces at the heart of these treats were jumbo-sized (premium Virginia) peanuts--wholes and halves--dipped in a light coating of darker milk chocolate, sweetened with sugar and maple syrup, with a pinch of sea salt. 

These were a bit too sweet and salty for me, but there was more authentic peanut and chocolate flavors poking through (that were nice!), and these chocolate dipped peanuts were not quite as sugar-drenched as many similar alternatives.

Ingredients: Peanuts, milk chocolate (sugar, cocoa butter, whole milk, unsweetened chocolate, soy lecithin, vanilla), organic maple sugar, cocoa powder, soybean oil, sea salt.

Soklet - Peanut Butter Crunch 60% Dark (bar) - Feb. 12, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Soklet
Peanut Butter Crunch - 60% Dark Chocolate (bar)
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1.76 oz. (50 g.) in total bar
Calories: 271 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $8.00 for 1 bar + shipping
Purchased from: Bar and Cocoa, online order

Welcome to Day #4 of Chocolate and India Theme Week. 

Today's Soklet Peanut Butter Crunch - 60% Dark Chocolate (bar) was manufactured by Regal Foods and Beverages (Pollachi, Tamil Nadu, India).

This vegan bar had smooth dark chocolate aroma and flavor with balanced nutty notes; creamy texture; and a pleasing finish. It was not too sweet (thank you!). 

The cacao was grown in the green hills of the Anamalais in Tamil Nadu, India. The resulting tree-to-bar Soklet, Indian Origin, chocolate in this bar was low in acidity and bitterness, made even more so by a perfectly balanced amount (subtle touch) of roasted peanuts and sea salt. Loved the subtlety of the flavor accents. This is my favorite Soklet bar so far.

Ingredients: Cacao beans, cane sugar, roasted peanuts, cacao butter, sea salt

Siamaya Chocolate - Thai Peanut Curry (bar) - Sept. 15, 2020

Chocolate of the Day

Siamaya Chocolate

Thai Peanut Curry (bar)

Good ++

Weight: 2.65 oz. (75 g.) in total bar

Calories: 334 calories (estimate) in 1 bar

Cost: $9.00 for 1 bar

Purchased from: Chocolate Covered, San Francisco, CA

Welcome to Day #4 of Chocolate Surprise Theme Week.

Today's Thai Peanut Curry (bar) was from Siamaya Chocolate / Siamaya Craft Co., Ltd. (Chang Mai, Thailand).

Siamaya makes bean-to-bar chocolate. They blend locally grown, pesticide free Thai cacao beans with locally inspired, and for us perhaps surprising and unique, Thai flavor inclusions. 

Today's gluten free and vegan Thai peanut curry bar was inspired by Thai massaman peanut curry. The maker(s) have layered sweet dark chocolate with chilies, cinnamon, lemon-grass and candied ginger.

This bar had an aroma with sweet and spicy peanuts fresh out of the roaster, and subtle chocolate notes.

After the first taste, the peanut bits were soon relegated to textural elements with faint nutty notes. Why? When I bit into the bar, pieces of candied ginger stole the show. And just when I thought the ginger might becoming too bossy, sassy upticks of chili sizzle and spice heat rose to the forefront. The finish was calmer, with hints of lemongrass and ginger. 

This hearty chocolate highlighted authentic Thai flavors, and offered an exciting, fun, full flavor ride. The chocolate was sweet, but not too sweet.

Peanut history

Peanuts are a culinary staple in many countries in Asia, and around the globe. This humble legume originated in South America (Peru, Brazil), and likely overlapped with the original cacao-growing regions. Indigenous people may have even ground nuts, cacao seeds (aka cacao beans), chilies and spices (allspice, vanilla) together for inclusion in beverages and foods (think early mole sauces).

Europeans (Spanish, Portuguese, English) brought peanuts back to Europe and elsewhere. The Portuguese likely brought peanuts to Africa from Brazil as early as the 1600s. Peanuts were also introduced to Asia. (The earliest written records of planting peanuts in Thailand date back to the mid-1800s.)

By the 1700s, Africans (slaves) had brought peanuts back to the Americas, specifically to North America; and peanuts were planted and cultivated, especially in the southern U.S. They were, at first, thought of as a food for the poor and for livestock.

Sometimes foods, things and people come full circle, or are discovered and popularized in another culture before they're appreciated in their home town or country.

Ingredients: cacao nibs (44%), organic cane sugar (24%), peanuts (17%), candied ginger (9%), cacao butter (4%), spices (1%), chilies (0.7%), sunflower lecithin (0.3%).